Voter Mailings Concern Secretary Of State; County Clerks

A group calling itself The Voter Participation Center is sending out mailings to New Mexico residents encouraging them to register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot. Many recipients of the mailings mistakenly believe the materials are being sent by county or state agencies.

New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran sent a letter dated June 26 informing the group that their mailings are being sent to already registered voters, non-citizens and minors who are ineligible to vote. Duran warns that the confusing nature of the mailings could “induce those people to commit a crime” by registering or voting while ineligible to do so.

In the letter, Duran said mailings also are being sent to the addresses of deceased individuals.

“Your methods and your mailing lists appear to have significant flaws, to the detriment of many of the recipients, as well as the integrity of the voter file in New Mexico,” Duran wrote.

Doña Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins said his office has received a few complaints related to the mailings, and he warned people against responding to mailers of any kind if The Voter Participation Center is the sender.

“The safest way to register to vote or request an absentee ballot is to work directly through our office,” Ellins said. “If you have questions or concerns about any mailing you receive, you can call us at (575) 647-7428 or drop by our offices at 845 N. Motel Blvd., in Las Cruces.